David Laing (architect)

Two years later he was asked to produce plans for a new custom house in London, replacing the old building of 1718.

In 1818 Laing published a book of plans and drawings which included details of the problems he had encountered in laying the foundations of the New Custom House.

The foundations proved inadequate: in 1820, cracks appeared in the vault of the king's warehouse in the central section of the block, and four years later the facade of the long room above it collapsed, followed by the warehouse vaults themselves and the long room floor.

Sir Robert Smirke, called in to investigate, reported that the work paid for had not been done to specification.

His other works included the rebuilding of St Dunstan-in-the-East, the Corn Market at Colchester and, after his dismissal from the post with the customs, Lexden Park, and the Royal Universal Infirmary for Children, Waterloo Road, London.